Governor eager to welcome Lady Gaga

Denpasar: Amid the controversial statements over Lady Gaga’s planned concert in Jakarta, Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika is ready to welcome the diva to perform island.

“I think there will be no problem for Lady Gaga to hold a concert here, as long as the concert is in line with local culture,” Pastika commented.

He said that the problem with Lady Gaga’s concert in Jakarta was a security issue.

“If the police can convince me over the security of the show and the artist, I will give the green light. It will be okay,” he added.

Separately, Brig.Gen. Ketut Untung Yoga, explained that he had not yet received any of the requirements from the concert’s promoter.

“The police cannot make any decision before we receive clear information on the possible change of concert venue to Bali,” said Yoga.

Meanwhile, it was reported that the US pop singer had broken her silence on the long-running drama over her planned Jakarta concert, making note of censorship concerns and threats of violence against her.

After more than a week of conflicting statements and international headlines over whether authorities would allow the June 3 concert in Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta to go ahead, Gaga used her Twitter account, @ladygaga, to provide two brief statements.

“The Jakarta situation is 2-fold: Indonesian authorities demand I censor the show & religious extremist separately, are threatening violence,” she posted on Tuesday. “If the show does go on as scheduled, I will perform the BTWBall [Born This Way Ball] alone.”

More than 52,000 tickets, with prices ranging from Rp 465,000 (US$50.75) to Rp 2.25 million, have been sold for the concert since they went on sale on March 10.